Sellersburg businesses, schools prepare for US 31 construction beginning Tuesday

SELLERSBURG, Ind. (WDRB) — A major road construction project in Sellersburg, Indiana, is set to begin Tuesday.

It'll bring months of detours and delays for drivers, businesses and local schools.

The project stretches along U.S. 31 near Silver Creek High School and several nearby businesses. This includes Sherrilli’s Pizza at the corner of U.S. 31 and County Road 403.

“It’s going to be a nightmare, but I am hoping people just have the patience and understanding and still come and visit us,” said Sherrilli's Pizza employee Juli Mick.

The Indiana Department of Transportation began planning the project four years ago and work will happen in three phases.

The first phase runs from Prather Lane to Silver Creek Middle School and is scheduled to be completed in early June. The next two phases will extend north and south up to Creek Road.

“It’s sewer lines. They are completely reconstructing 31 in this area,” said Karie Kahafer, director of transportation for Silver Creek School Corporation.

Kahafer said 26 of the district’s 28 buses will have to be rerouted for the next several months.

“If everybody knows what is coming and what we can do to get around it, hopefully everybody takes the time to plan ahead and do what we can,” she said.

The district has posted alternate routes on its social media pages, urging parents and nearly 4,000 students from primary through high school to plan for heavier traffic.

“So, I tell parents let’s hang in there and work together and be patient and understanding,” Kahafer said.

Business owners along the corridor say they understand the need for improvements but worry about the short-term impact.

“This has really been a high-traffic area. Sellersburg is growing a lot faster than people realize,” Mick said. “Got to think long-term and just be prepared and be ready for it and hopefully we will still have a lot of customers coming,” she added with a laugh.

The three-phase project is expected to wrap up by Thanksgiving.